“I’m sad. Will I always feel like this?”

Michael Ian Black and Debbie Ridpath Ohi must be mind readers, because the world needed this book. Everyone feels sad sometimes, but we don’t all have the tools to understand, communicate, and process those feelings in a healthy way. I’m Sad normalizes sad feelings – and reminds little readers that they are loved and safe even when they can’t shake their blues. (And bonus – it’s so funny! That potato!!! 😂)

My youngest readers loved opening up about what sadness looks and feels like for them, brainstorming cheer up strategies (check out the photo below to see their big hearted ideas), and the book’s message that sometimes, you just need to give yourself some space to feel sad. Near the end, our flamingo friend says, “I still feel a little bit sad, but I also feel a little bit better. And I think I’m okay with that.” It’s social emotional perfection 😍